During a CNN discussion last night, Democratic strategist Karen Finney called out former President George W. Bush for his refusal to speak about the current state of the GOP.
Donald Trump hasn't been kind to George W. Bush. He frequently mocked the former President when he was in office. Trump also savagely attacked Jeb Bush, forcing the former Florida governor out of the Republican nomination race in 2016.
Still, the Bush family, the most important in Republican politics, has failed to speak out against Trump. On Tuesday, CNN Abby Phillip played a 2015 video of George W. Bush urging people to be citizens and not spectators when it comes to politics. She asked panellists if Bush should speak out.
"I don't think he has a responsibility to speak out," said Conservative talking head Scott Jennings. "Once he left the presidency, he has basically stayed out of politics. He has personally chosen not to wade into this personally and I think we ought to leave him alone about that. It's his right to do that."
Finney, a long-time Democratic adviser, responded:
"Hmm. You're right it's absolutely his right. You're correct on that. To me, what is more upsetting and disappointing is the fact we were just having a conversation about how low the Republicans can actually go in North Carolina. Lower than many of us ever thought possible. And yet, how about the fact that the former president who is now trying to go back to the White House actually incited an insurrection and violence at our Capitol where people died."